[Kevmustang83]

86 tbird turbo coupe. my neighbor came over and he helped diagnose my problem. the car wont start unless u give it some gas. but when it idles my neighbor said it sounds like its detonationg and its not getting enough fuel. we pulled the plugs and they were barely tan... could the mas go bad? i tried disconnecting it while it was idling and it died. but could it be misreading something? and the fuel pressure is fine. almost 40 psi.

[b_chandler]

I'd get a second opinion. I've never EVER seen or heard a motor ping at idle let alone detonate.

I've heard some with blown head gaskets knock a little at idle. For kicks and grins, check compression

[Kevmustang83]

alright ill check it. could i rent a comp tester?

[2Manystangs]

Static fuel pressure may be 40 but unless you run it under load with a tuner attached you don't know the real fuel pressure...could be timing, bad gas, bad fuel pump, bad mass air, bad throttle body, bad fuel filter, bad air filter...time to see a mechanic or tuner rather than playing "miss and hit"...good luck

[Kevmustang83]

ive replaced the fuel/air filter. siphoned bad gas, checked timing, fuel pump is fine. and i replaced the tps and iac works fine.

[turboeeyore]

timing belt skip a tooth? vane air meter door stuck closed?

[NavySVO]

Originally Posted by 2Manystangs

Static fuel pressure may be 40 but unless you run it under load with a tuner attached you don't know the real fuel pressure... bad mass air,

Another non-2.3 person chiming in with mis-information....

The TC does not have Mass-Air, it has a Vane Air Flow (VAF) meter. Also, you can view fuel pressuer anytime with a fuel pressure tester and run it up to the windshield under the wiper balde and tape it down to monitor it while driving. Tuner for the 2.3...... Not unless you have an MS or other aftermarket stand alone setup

Do the tests in the attachment and post the results.

Sounds like cam timing is way off too.

Fuel pressure should be 39 psi with the vacuum hose removed from the FPR.

Did you set the TPS voltages?

[Kevmustang83]

how can i check the cam timing?

[Kevmustang83]

also i meant if the MAP sensor went bad.

[Kevmustang83]

In the pic. is there supposed to be a hose attached to that sensor?

[NavySVO]

Originally Posted by Kevmustang83

In the pic. is there supposed to be a hose attached to that sensor?

That is not a MAP sensor, it is a Barometric Air Pressure (BAP) sensor, and no, there should not be a hose connected to it.

Cam timing should be set just like when replacing a timing belt

[TOM RENZO]

NO thats a baro sensor the TC engine uses a VAM and a BARO sensor. There should be NO HOSE CONNECTED TO IT. NAVY is correct. Check the cam timing with the string test. I always test fuel preasure under BOOST with a guage taped to the windshield. Preasure should rise 1lb for every pound of boost over static (APP). Navy is right on.

[Kevmustang83]

Thing is i cant test the fuel pressure under boost since the car isnt drivable. every time i put it into gear it stalls.

i found this "cut" wire near the bap sensor. i looke at the wiring diagrams but i cant find out where it goes.

[TOM RENZO]

Here is what to check
1 compression
2 fuel preasure
3 plugs wires cap rotor etc
4 timing ignition and cam
5 vacuum leaks
6 codes

hope this helps good luck Tom

[Kevmustang83]

Blown head gasket. between cylinders 3 and 4. haha tom u were right. but definitely. i ordered the parts and im starting it tom. should i get the head milled? it only has 52k miles.